Motoring Maguire vies for Crucible favouritism

STEPHEN MAGUIRE is vying for Betfred.com World Championship market favouritism with Neil Robertson and RonnieO'Sullivan after booking his place in the semi-finals with a 13-2 success over seven-time champion Stephen Hendry on Tuesday night.

Maguire's defeat of Hendry with a session to spare prompted the great man to announce his retirement but the main reason for his lofty position in the betting, at a general 11-4,  is that he awaits the winner of the Jamie Jones-Ali Carter last-eight tussle.

For Matthew Stevens, who reeled off two more frames on Wednesday morning to make it 11 on the spin in beating Ryan Day 13-5, is as big as 15-2 with Boylesports for glory.

Stevens awaits the winner of 5-2 outright favourite Robertson and 11-4 O'Sullivan, who resume at 2.30pm on Wednesday with the score at 5-3 Robertson.

Maguire motored into an 11-1 lead on Tuesday night when taking the first four frames on the back of breaks of 67,72,68 and 125. And after Hendry claimed the 13th frame, he wrapped up the final two frames with breaks of 61 and 45.

Carter leads Jones 9-7 going into Wednesday night's concluding session when O'Sullivan v Robertson is scheduled to finish.

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